Blake Nancarrow

96 Evelyn Crescent
Toronto Ontario Canada
M6P 3E1

voice
  416 762-2660
fax
  available on request
mobile
  available on request

blaken AT
computer-ease.com

Blake with his new F1 hat

“Long before I attended my first advanced high-performance driving school, I encouraged safe, conscientious driving. I was taught well! While I grew addicted to the sheer fun of performance schools, I’m even more committed to helping drivers to handle their vehicles at the best of its and their abilities.”

education

  • BMW Club of Canada - Trillium Chapter Instructor Clinic, Apr & Jun 2005
  • BMW Car Club of America - Genesee Valley Chapter Instructor Clinic, Mar 2005
  • BMWCC - Trillium Chapter Instructor Clinic, Apr & Jun 2004
  • BMW CCA - GVC Instructor Clinic, Mar 2004
  • Motorsport Marshalling Services school, Jun 2003.
  • BMW CCA - GVC Instructor Clinic, Mar 2003
  • BMWCC - Trillium Chapter Instructor Clinic, Apr 2002
  • BMW CCA - GVC Instructor Training School (ITS), Sep 2000
  • BMWCC Car Control 101, Aug 1998
  • BMWCC - Trillium Chapter advanced performance driving schools, Jul 1996 - Sep 1998
  • Saab Owners’ Club of Canada advanced performance driving schools, Aug 1996 - Sep 1998
  • Oakville Skid Control School, May 1997
  • IBAO driver tune up, Aug 1993, run by Ashton and Tilford with sponsorship by Zurich Insurance, chief instructor Bill Findley
  • CanBike II advanced (urban) bicycling programme, summer 1993 (a prerequisite for Toronto bicycle police)
  • Parkside Collegiate driver education delivered by Bill Findley (Ontario Ministry of Transportation accredited trainer), 1981

 

tracks driven

  • Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant, Village Mont Tremblant, Québec
    • full course *
    • south loop
  • Dunnville Autodrome, Dunnville, Ontario
  • Lime Rock Park, Lakeville, Connecticut
  • Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Columbus, Ohio
  • Mosport International Raceway, Bowmanville, Ontario
    • road course *
    • driver development centre track (DDC)
  • New Hampshire International Speedway (NHIS), Loudon, New Hampshire
    • oval configurations *
    • infield configurations *
    • reverse direction
  • Ottodrome winter track, Ottawa, Ontario
  • PMG Test Facility, Blainville, Québec
    • high-speed oval
    • Genite exercise area
    • skidpad area
  • Sanair International Racing Complex, St. Pie, Québec
    • road course
    • tri-oval
  • Sebring International Raceway, Sebring, Florida
  • Shannonville Motorsport Park, Belleville, Ontario
    • Fabi
    • Nelson
    • Pro circuit
    • Full circuit
  • Toronto Motorsports Park (Cayuga), Hamilton, Ontario (full road course)
  • Virginia International Raceway
  • Watkins Glen International Speedway, Watkins Glen, New York (full course) *

* Also raced on these track configurations.

 

experience

In 2008 and 2009 delivered classroom instructor for BMW and Saab driving schools for various levels of students.

In an effort to reclaim some time during the summer for my other hobbies and interests, I intend in 2006 to scale back. Famous last words perhaps. I've already committed to the Hanson GTR Advanced Driving Schools, Ferrari ECCR schools, and the GVC Instructor Training School. And I'm crossing my fingers that Calabogie will open... A special highlight this summer will be serving as crew chief for Diane Dale as Group 70 race teams head to the ChampCar Molson GrandPrix (Indy) at the Toronto Exhibition!

In 2005, I organised three SOCCI schools. I instructed for various clubs. The season kicked off early when I instructed at a MCO winter school in January. The BMWCC Trillium chapter asked me to join the instructor selection committee. I mentored at the GVC ITS. I had the pleasure of visiting the new Dunnville track on a couple of occasions. I had hoped to race again but monetary and time factors did not allow it. For the Mosport Dayze September club race, I was appointed race chair. I crewed a couple of times for Diane Dale's Track Dog team; she even appointed me crew chief at one event. That was fun! At the October SOCCI school I stepped down as the organiser. It was another busy season!

Last year, 2004, I planned four SOCCI schools (including another one for women). I instructed, of course, for various organizations. I assisted the Trillium and Genesee Valley chapters in their instructor development programmes. I had hoped again to race a couple of times but I only ran in the Mosport Dayze September event. And I worked even more closely with the Krikorian Racing team drivers as they raced in this Ontario series. Late in the year I was appointed the CASC-OR representative of the BMWCC Trillium chapter.

For 2003, I continued to organize and run the Saab club schools, with three events at Shannonville (including a school for  women) and one at Toronto Motorsports Park. I instructed again for various Canadian and US clubs and companies. I entered two BMW club race events, at Mosport and NHIS, co-driving E30 M3s, capturing another class win. As well, I assisted the GMR race team in CASC events for their entire season and briefly helped Evolution Motorsports in the Action Front BMW Ontario series.

Completed the Motorsport Marshalling Services (MMS) corner worker, flagging, safety 2-day school at Mosport during the VARAC race weekend. Obtained track marshal identification and Qualifying Event (QE) logbook, with CASC licence to follow.

2002 was a busy year. I continued in my chief instructor duties. I continued to race (at Watkins Glen during the Chemung HSR weekend and in the Fall Classic BMW CCA club race at Tremblant). I assisted the GMR racing team. And I continued to instruct in Canada and the US. Closing the season, I organized and instructed at a Driving Adventures corporate event wherein we trained Canadian federal government agents.

In 2001, I took on the role of chief instructor for the Saab Owners’ Club of Canada. I subsequently planned and implemented driving schools at Shannonville over the summer.

Working closely with Derek Hanson, I also began my relationship with the Ferrari Owner’s Club instructing and assisting at several of their schools. In August, I instructed with the Audi Quattro Club USA-North East Region at Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant.

I also worked with Doncaster Racing during their corporate sponsor thank-you event at the Mosport Driver Development Centre track with the Bridgestone Racing Academy. This involved high-performance driver training for Telus staff in Trans-Ams and Camaros.

I received my racing licence with the BMW Car Club of America (#732-3849) and drove successfully and without incident in two club races at Mosport in September.

In 2000, I visited three new tracks and began new relationships with trackmasters and the Northern Ohio and Genesee Valley chapters of BMWCCA.

I began coaching a young driver as he started racing, a mere 18 months after taking his first HPD school with me. I also provided technical assistance.

I worked for Driving Adventures and closely with its president Craig Tilford. I designed training and presentation materials, driving exercises, autocrosses. We ran several events (one to undercover police) in 1999. I assisted and coached at lapping days.

I assisted and instructed at the special “Ladies Day” schools run by the Saab Owners’ Club of Canada.

In the spring of 1999, I began to deliver high-performance advanced and safety driving instruction. Over the balance of the year, I volunteered at the Saab Owners’ Club of Canada, BMW Club of Canada, BMW Car Club of America (Boston/White Mountain), and Findley Driving School.

In the summer of 1998, I began autocrossing at the BMW Club of Canada (Trillium). I help organize the events, capture times, and compile statistics.

Won third prize in first outing in August 1988 in the Ontario Rally Association navigational rally with TAC. Later won second in November 1992. I navigated in these events.

Obtained my Ontario driver’s license upon first attempt in 1981. No collisions. No speeding tickets. I have 6-star insurance rating in Ontario.

I own a stock 1988 BMW E30 M3 (Flo) as well as two 1984 528e cars (Allegria and Mr. Brown).

I have a great deal of experience with current domestic automobiles having regularly rented cars for personal and business matters.

A fan of auto racing, I follow Formula 1, British Touring, Australian Super Touring, the Canadian Rally Championship, the World Rally Championship, and other series.

I read a great deal about the subject of racing and advanced driving including Speed Secrets by Bentley, High Performance Driving by Bondurant, Sports Car and Competition Driving by Frére, The Racing Driver by Jenkinson, The Art and Science of Grand Prix Driving by Lauda, Principles of Performance Driving by Stewart, and Secrets of Solo Racing by Watts.

I am a professional microcomputer instructor and operate my own company, Computer Ease (http://computer-ease.com/), registered in 1987. I teach adults business software, web site design, the internet, and project management.

I built and maintain the web site for the Saab Owners’ Club of Canada driving schools (http://computer-ease.com/socci/).

I maintain a web page with answers to frequently-asked questions about advanced driving schools (http://computer-ease.com/dsfaq.htm).

I was the webmaster for the BMW Club of Canada’s national web site (http://BMWclub.ca/) from July 1997 to summer 2002.

I'm available for hire for corporate or private enhanced or advanced high-performance driving events. Contact me for rate information.

 

references

  • Audi Quattro Club USA North East Region: Steve Earley
  • BMW Club of Canada
    • Trillium: Rolf Lange, Ray Arlauskas
    • Québec: Phil Abrami, Cherif Gress
    • Ottawa: Chris Pawlowicz, Klaus Willroider
  • BMW Car Club of America
    • Boston: Peter Weber, Luka Serdar, Joe Marko
    • White Mountain: Dan Guliano, Steve Fitzgerald
    • Northern Ohio: Doug Thoms, Mike Becker
    • Genesee Valley: Bill O’Neill, David Lanni
    • Sunshine Bimmers: Bob Turnage
  • Doncaster Racing: Dave Lacey
  • Driving Adventures: Craig Tilford
  • Ferrari Owner’s Club: Derek Hanson, Dennis Sakamoto
  • Findley Driving School: Bill Findley, Diane Hodgson
  • Hanson GTR Advanced Driving School: Peter Hanson
  • Motorsport Club of Ottawa: Paul Swinwood, Ron Woltman
  • Porsche Club of America - NE Region
  • Saab Club of Canada: Chris Teixeira, John Casey, Ken Pavri
  • trackmasters: Tony Funicello, Rox Brown, Bill Schultz